Apple has not given any indication that they are in the process of developing a tablet, but that hasn’t stopped tons of rabid fanboys from seizing any hint of a tablet and drooling uncontrollably.
In a less zealous vein, some of our staff have recently been speculating about the rumored Apple Tablet. What is it? Does it even exist? We chained those staffers to a desk and told them to divine the future… Or else.
The rumors
First, the current crop of rumors say the Apple tablet will ship with some sort of ARM CPU manufactured in-house by the recently acquired P A Semi.
The tablet is rumored to be around 10 inches, and could possibly be made of OLED or LCD screens–or both–with the OLED screens being slightly smaller than the LCD.
The Apple tablet could come out January 27, or in March. The earliest rumors even predict its launch at the end of 2010. Of course, initial sources were reporting that it would come out before the end of 2009, but apparently it was delayed due to issues with the display.
The device will be called the Apple Tablet… Or the iSlate… Or the iGuide, and will feature a webcam and a camera… Or it won’t.
The OS will probably be something in between Mac OS X and what runs the iPhone. In fact, the tablet is actually being referred to as the iPhone “on steroids.” The rumors also state that an iPhone OS update hasn’t recently launched because it has too many source references to the tablet.
The tablet might also have a dynamic tactile keyboard supported by an articulating frame that raises slightly from the rest of the device when typing is needed.
The tablet will hopefully have 3G and will run on multiple carriers, particularly Verizon.
And (how could we forget?) the tablet will be a stunning e-reader that will redefine the book, magazine, and newspaper industries and change how we interact with computers and reading forever.
Naturally, you can get all of these fantastic things for the low, low price of $1000.
Lastly, if you happen to have access to top-secret tablet information, Valleywag is offering big bucks to anyone that has information on the tablet, including $100k to get to play with it for an hour.
Jacqueline DiOrio’s predictions:
Considering that there hasn’t been any official recognition for (not even a good blurry picture) the device, I am ridiculously sick of the Apple tablet rumors. Apple has–not once–stepped forward and said that they are creating the device and, frankly, I would be very amused if it turns out that no tablet exists at all.
That said, considering the number of people talking about the Apple tablet, there is most likely some sort of slate computer in production. I figure that it will be akin to iPhone on steroids with e-reader capabilities, but it probably won’t have a webcam or camera, and I don’t believe it will offer the full OS X experience. Finally, considering the issues carriers like AT&T are having with smartphones, I would be surprised if it offered 3G at all.
I must admit: Considering Apple’s history of putting out successful devices, their tablet will probably be a good piece of technology. I do not think that it will be as good as everyone hypes it to be, but it will be a solid product.
I do actually hope that it will revolutionize the magazine and newspaper industry, because they both need some sort of facelift. I also feel that it will rapidly become the most popular e-reader out there; I wouldn’t be surprised if it puts a lot of the smaller e-reader companies out of business.
Cliff Forster’s predictions:
The Apple Tablet, iSlate, whatever you call it, only makes sense for Apple if it’s to strengthen its position as the world’s leader of downloadable content. It will do this two ways: first by being a closed-standard e-reader that interfaces seamlessly with the iTunes store, and secondly by being some sort of convergence center that will make other Apple products more attractive to consumers.
Whatever the tablet is, Apple knows the real money is in the downloaded content, not the hardware itself.
Nick Mertes’ predictions:
Ok, I’m going to start with the easy and obvious prediction: The battery won’t be user-replaceable. Apple has been on a streak of such internal batteries for some time now, and has shown no signs of changing that policy. Expect no more than four hours of real usage on a charge, but a claim of six hours or more. Also expect a ridiculous charge for the replacement as well–upwards of $100 for the service.
Next up is the inclusion of a standard USB port that may be used for syncing the tablet with iTunes. This single port may also be used with Apple-approved devices purchased from the Apple Store with the standard Apple Tax™. Of course this will be quickly circumvented, but you’ll be facing DMCA violation charges and probably void your warranty.
Finally, a touch screen doesn’t go far enough. Apple will provide touch capability similar to the Wacom graphics tablets. Additionally, this touch screen will be usable as a giant touchpad for standard Apple computers.
Robert Hallock’s predictions:
Given Apple’s preference for large displays across all segments, I feel a 10.1″ panel is a whole lot more likely than an 8″ panel. However, I think that panel is far more likely to be LCD than AMOLED given that Samsung SMD is the only company that can make 10.1″ AMOLED displays in volume, and they cannot currently fulfill their backlog of orders. LG can also make 10.1″ AMOLED panels, but their capacity is about one-tenth that of Samsung’s.
In short, the market cannot make enough 10.1″ AMOLED panels to meet the demand typical of an Apple product. Alternatively, Apple could price the device to match the supply of its parts, but doing so would most likely price it right out of running for a consumers’ third (or fourth) computing device behind the desktop, notebook, netbook and smartphone.
Of course it goes without saying that a tablet’s LCD would have to be touch-sensitive, and Apple rules the patent roost on that front. Consider multi-touch and a capacitive stylus essential parts of the tablet experience.
When it comes to core hardware, I don’t expect to see x86 under the hood, and the reasons are legion:
First, even considering Intel’s Atom-based Moorestown SoC, x86 cannot hit the price/performance/size/watt targets offered by an ARM architecture. Not buying into the Intel tax will save Apple money and improve margins.
Next, look for a moment at products like the Motorola Droid or the iPhone 3GS: These are exceptionally sleek products. These products are clear indicators that the ARMv7 ISA is more than ready to accommodate the svelte designs Apple is famous for–an Apple tablet cannot be chunky.
Last, opting for x86 also suggests replicating the desktop experience, but I think that’s overly ambitious and unnecessarily complicated for a tablet. Following the iPhone’s architecture from end to end would be the wiser choice for many reasons:
- The tablet would launch with a tried and true application submission and delivery platform in iTunes.
- Choosing ARM would allow Apple to reuse the iPhone SDK, though it would certainly be expanded for the additional performance, screen real estate and usability expectations of a tablet. Doing this would make a tablet developer out of every iPhone developer over night, and there are millions of them. Failing to tap this resource would be a monumental blunder.
- Following the iPhone’s user experience would give tablet buyers a familiar and comfortable product. As customers are many times more likely to purchase and retain a device they do not have to learn, rehashing and improving the iPhone UI for a larger display is essential.
So, just what kind of chip might we find in an Apple tablet? I’m going to put my bets on the NVIDIA Tegra 2, and not just because I want to make babies with it. It fits the price/performance/size/watt envelope for a tablet; it’s designed for tablets; Apple and NVIDIA have a close working relationship (MacBook, OpenCL, etc.); and, most importantly, the Cortex-A9 MPCore uses the same ARMv7 ISA Apple and iPhone devs are accustomed to working with on the iPhone.
I also want to run through I/O, storage and connectivity, which I’ll bullet point:
- Mini HDMI for connection to a TV. The Tegra 2 does support 1080p via HDMI, after all.
- Two USB ports (they fit even on a 7″ tablet). Probably USB 2.0.
- 16, 32 or 64GB onboard storage via 1.0″ 35-pin ZIF SSD.
- Expandable storage via SDHC slot.
- No IEEE1394.
- At least a 1/8″ headphone jack, and possibly a mic jack for iChat.
- Apple is obsessed with cameras, so I reckon it’ll have a user-facing camera.
- Apple sure does love its docks, so I imagine it’ll use an iPhone-style cable with dock support.
- 802.11a/b/g/n
- Bluetooth 2.1
- 3G WWAN, likely Verizon given AT&T’s abysmal customer image.
And finally, I expect an MSRP of $999.
Final thoughts
So, there you have it: Icrontic’s predictions on what His Most High Steve Jobs may or may not be preparing for the market. What do you think? Share your thoughts with us leading up to Apple’s January 27 press event.
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